U-17 World Cup star Boris Singh Thangjam tests positive for COVID-19

The player is currently in quarantine in Manipur.

Boris Singh Thangjam has tested positive for COVID-19 and has thus become the first active footballer from the country to be detected for the virus. Accordingly, the 20-year-old has been quarantined in Manipur. One of his relatives from Imphal spoke to PTI and stated, “Boris has tested positive for COVID-19, his name has come in the latest list of those who have tested positive. He will be under quarantine.”

Boris earned fame during his stint with the Indian national team at the FIFA U-17 World Cup that was held in 2017. He played two matches as a right-back in that tournament. Furthermore, he also featured in the India U-20 side that defeated their Argentine counterparts 2-1 in the COTIF tournament in Spain in 2018.

The starlet rose through the AIFF Elite Academy and even represented the Indian Arrows outfit. He played 31 games for the team from 2017-2019 and scored two goals. Additionally, he notched two assists too. Boris Singh Thangjam has consistently made his way up through the ranks. He represented the India U-16 national team and also turned out for them at the AFC U-16 Championship in 2016.

The Manipuri was acquired by ATK in 2018, but was loaned back to Indian Arrows for the 2018-19 campaign. He found it difficult to attain ample playing time in the first-team of the Kolkata-based club. While reports surfaced regarding his move elsewhere in the ongoing transfer window, that might be deterred for a short period of time now.

So far, the Indian football fraternity had been fairly relieved, as none of the current players had been infected with COVID-19. The upcoming season will commence within a few months, with the Indian Super League to be played from November 2020-March 2021. Along with that, the I-League, second division of the same and camps of the junior national teams will be conducted in all probability. Hence, it is of utmost necessity that all individuals involved in these competitions continue to repel the novel coronavirus.